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The Emperor (Victor Temple)

Summary:

The fifth in a series of very short LA by Night and NY by Night fics inspired by the Major Arcana Tarot.

Just some musings on rumours and Victor Temple's reputation. Set a long time after the end of Season 5. Contains spoilers.

Notes:

The Emperor
Authority, father figures, structure, (reversed) domination, excessive control, lack of discipline.

Work Text:

They say that the “undisputed” Baron Victor Temple’s door is always open. He’s made sure every Kindred in his domain knows it. He’s always there, at the Maharani, palms open for a friendly handshake, for a business deal, or just for some advice. He’s friends with everyone, from Toreador to Nosferatu. He's also one of the few who welcomes Thin-Bloods in. Why that is exactly, no one knows, except he clearly doesn't seem to believe in the prophecies around them. That's what they say.

Many young Kindred who meet him, especially those embraced as teenagers or in their early twenties, say that Baron Temple reminds them of their dad. Some people love that, others hate it. He certainly gives the impression that he was a dad before his embrace. They assume he doesn't have any childer, simply because no one has come forward claiming as such. Baron Temple likes to boast. If he had embraced anyone, everyone would know about it.

In the Valley, his word is law. His reputation precedes him. LA is full of stories about Victor Temple. Some say he busted up a Gangrel den just because one of them owed money. A friend of a friend swears that one time, Baron Temple fought a werewolf and won. Did you hear he pushed Vannevar's Sheriff off the roof of the Grove? I heard he killed Vannevar too. Blew him to kingdom come. There are whispers he carries a hunter’s gun designed to kill Kindred. It fires explosive rounds, and he had it gilded just because he could, the rich prick. Apparently, he has an army of invisible Nosferatu in his office and meeting rooms at all times, ready to kick anyone’s ass who displeases him.

If you ask him about any of this, Baron Temple laughs. He refuses to say what's true and what isn't, but he encourages everyone to “believe all of it!” He seems to laugh in the face of the Masquerade too. He live streams every party he attends and flies a flag with the crossed sceptre and sword of the Venture above his club. No one in the Valley dares to confront him on it. What if the stories are true? What if, behind that cheerful, parental demeanour, there lies the cold heart of a tyrant?

(It could be argued that of course, he’s a tyrant. He’s a Ventrue, and they’re all tyrants in the end. But… don’t tell him that to his face.)

You know it could be worse. If you’re nice to the Baron, he’ll be nice to you. He keeps things in the Valley running pretty smoothly, considering how large it is and how many Kindred stay there. Just… say out of his line of sight if he starts live streaming.

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